The son of a steelworker and a nurse, Jay Fawcett's early life was spent in Monongahela, Pennsylvania. Achieving the status of Eagle Scout and being an active member of Grace Lutheran Church, Jay gained an appreciation of being a part of his community.

Jay arrived in Colorado Springs, reporting to the Air Force Academy as a Cadet in 1973. Upon graduation he was selected as a Weapon Systems Officer in the F4 Phantom, serving in fighter squadrons in Korea and Spain. In 1983, Jay entered the Johnson School of Management at Cornell University completing his MBA in 1985.

Captain Fawcett joined the faculty of the Air Force Academy in June of 1985 and served for three years on the faculty and one year as the Academy's headquarters squadron commander.

In 1989, he was deployed into military action in the first Gulf War. Serving in Desert Shield and the initial helicopter assault into Iraq during Desert Storm, Major Fawcett was awarded a Bronze Star for his actions.

After serving his country in combat and during the Cold War, Lt Colonel Fawcett retired from the Air Force in 1998 and went to work as a defense contractor at US Northern Command at Peterson Air Force Base.

Jay is married to Susan O'Connell and they have a daughter, Elizabeth and Son, John.